Low-Dose Naltrexone in a Case of Refractory Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic pain syndrome that is characterized by intermittent episodes of severe pain that can be burning or stabbing in quality along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. A variety of medications and procedures are traditionally employed in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Low dose naltrexone (LDN) has seen increasing use as an adjunctive agent in the management of this difficult-to-treat condition. Note that this is an off-label use of this medication. In this case report, we present the use of naltrexone as a rescue agent in a patient with trigeminal neuralgia refractory to a number of medications, interventional procedures, and surgeries.